Editor’s note: This is the first in a series of columns to help explain the role of deacons in the church as the Diocese of Austin prepares to accept applications for the next diaconate class.

By Deacon Dan Lupo | Guest Columnist

One highlight from my pilgrimage to the Holy Land last June was visiting the Upper Room in Jerusalem. I stood in awe in that sacred place, meditating on all the divine events that transpired there that are key to our faith: the Last Supper/institution of Holy Eucharist [Mt 26:26-29], Jesus sending the Apostles/ institution of Reconciliation [Jn 20:21-23], Pentecost/birthday of the Church [Acts 2:1-4]. Then, in a powerful gift of revelation, I was given to realize how the Upper Room is the source of my three diaconal duties (munera) of word, liturgy and charity. Word. The Upper Room is where the Holy Spirit came upon the Apostles at Pentecost and imbued them with the power to preach the Good News. In Acts we read, “they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim.” Indeed, St. Peter’s preaching was so powerful that 3,000 people were baptized afterward. Deacons are called upon to proclaim the Gospel at Mass, to teach (as catechists, religious education teachers, sacrament preparation), and to preach the homily when assigned. That is why at his ordination, the deacon candidate is given the book of the Gospels, and hears the bishop say: “Receive the book of the Gospels, whose herald you now are: believe what you read, teach what you believe, and practice what you teach.” Deacons can trace their duty to proclaim/teach/preach to the Pentecost event in the Upper Room. Liturgy. The Upper Room is where Jesus instituted the sacraments of the Eucharist (Last Supper), reconciliation (“whose sins you forgive, they are forgiven”), and confirmation (the Holy Spirit’s coming at Pentecost). Sacraments/liturgy is the second of the deacon’s three duties. When serving at Mass, the deacon can lead the Kyrie in the Penitential Act; incense the Gospels, the clergy, and the congregation. He also proclaims the Gospel; preaches on occasion; proclaims the Universal Prayers; prepares the altar, especially the main chalice; invites all to exchange the sign of peace; and dismisses the congregation. The deacon also can preside at the sacrament of baptism; he can preside at and witness the exchange of vows in the sacrament of matrimony; he can preside at a funeral vigil, funeral service, and graveside (or inurnment) service; and he can lead a communion service and Benediction. In all these ways, through these sacraments, the deacon extends Christ’s graces from his altar of sacrifice to the faithful during the various milestones on their journeys of faith. Charity. When Jesus washed his disciples’ feet (John 13), he gave them a model to follow: “As I have done for you, you should also do.” The model was of humbling oneself in service, for the good of the other. The Greek word “diakonia” means service, and while priests are ordained as Christ the Shepherd, to minister to a parish flock, deacons are ordained as Christ the Servant, to minister to those on the peripheries of society. A deacon (diakonos) brings the Good News to the homeless, the hospitalized, the incarcerated, the hospice patient, the fearful, the wary immigrant/stranger, and the materially and spiritually poor. When Pope Francis washes the feet of “the least” during Holy Thursday services in Rome, he wears his deacon stole (a sash across the chest) in a powerful sign that he is following the model of Christ the Servant given at the Last Supper. Following Christ in serving others is what all baptized Christians are called to do. Catholic deacons are called apart in that service, to manifest the church’s mission to serve the least of Jesus’ brothers and sisters. The Upper Room, where the church began [John 20:21], provides the divine source of much of the deacon’s charism of service.

Are you being called to the diaconate? Men between the ages of 30 and 59 sensing God’s call to the permanent diaconate should discuss this with their pastors and obtain his permission to attend (with their wife, if married) one of the following Inquiry Sessions (offered in Spanish and English): Dec. 16 at St. Mary Parish in Temple Jan. 20 at the Pastoral Center in Austin Feb. 17 at St. Mary Parish in Brenham March 17 at Eagle’s Wings Retreat Center in Burnet May 5 at the Pastoral Center in Austin Each session (from 2 to 5 p.m.) will explore the diaconate, discernment methods, qualities and characteristics sought in applicants, the formation journey, the wife’s participation in formation, and the application process. For more information, call (512) 949-2459; e-mail diaconateformation@austindiocese.org; or visit www.austindiocese.org/diaconalformation.

Deacon Dan Lupo is associate director of Diaconal Formation for the Austin Diocese. He also serves at St. Thomas More Parish in Austin. Deacon Lupo can be reached at (512) 949-2411 or dan-lupo@austindiocese.org.